Connacht Confirm Exeter Date

Connacht will play Aviva Premiership side Exeter Chiefs in a pre-season friendly at the Sportsground on Saturday, August 13, it has been announced.

The fixture will be the first test for Eric Elwood's Connacht side three weeks before the launch of the newly-sponsored RaboDirect PRO12 competition.

Building on a successful first season in charge, Elwood has brought some exciting new talent to join the experienced players in the Connacht squad and this will be the first chance to see the new-look westerners in action.

The Exeter Chiefs have just finished their first season in the top flight of English rugby and with some impressive performances including wins over London Wasps, Gloucester and Saracens, they finished a credible eighth in the Aviva Premiership.

Under the captaincy of John Hayes' brother Tom Hayes, Exeter boast an eclectic mix of homegrown English players and international talent that is sure to light up the Sportsground.

Connacht Season Tickets are currently on sale and with the exceptional value 'early bird' prices set to cease at the end of this week, supporters are urged to purchase their tickets before Friday to avail of this special offer. Check out www.connachtrugby.ie for further details.

Looking forward to the Exeter game, Elwood said: "We're very happy to be welcoming the Exeter Chiefs to Galway. The Aviva Premiership is one of the toughest leagues and for Connacht to continue to progress we have to constantly test ourselves against tough opposition.

"Exeter are very similar to ourselves, they've just come off the back of a successful season - their first in the Premiership - and just like us they will be hoping to improve on the good work they put in last season.

"This will be a great chance for our supporters to see Connacht's newest additions in action and for the new players to make their mark and show the coaches what they are capable of.

"It's also a great opportunity to experience the atmosphere at the Sportsground and to support Connacht Rugby ahead of the new season."

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.